Don’t let Congress trade off our future

Don’t let Congress trade off our future

A secret trade deal has been in the works for four years now. More than 600 corporate lobbyists have had daily input into the “agreement” between 11 other countries. Our Congress has had no input, no oversight and no ability to protect the public’s interests or rights. I’m referring to the TPP, Trans Pacific Partnership. This trade deal will literally rewrite trade policies and affect every aspect of our lives.

Google: Trans Pacific Partnership

Why the secrecy? If exposed, it would be extremely unpopular.

Corporate lobbyists want to bypass the Constitution, bypass Congress by granting fast track trade approval authority to ratify this agreement to the president.

Here is what is at stake: If the TPP passes, we can expect offshoring of millions of American jobs, no oversight of banksters worldwide, it will undermine worker’s rights and wages, undermine our environmental laws, food safety and health standards, decrease access to medicines worldwide and the kicker: foreign corporations can sue governments for “lost profits” that they suffer.

This is not about trade: it’s a corporate giveaway and it threatens our democracy.

If you value regulation on fracking and other environmental concerns, foods free of contaminates, risking factories moving to low-wage nations, protections against higher drug pricing due to patent monopolies, decent wages, then call your member of Congress at (202) 224-3121. Tell them to vote “no” on the TPP. Don’t let them trade away our future.

Joni Lindgren

Elgin